Abstract : A back-extrude forging process for the fabrication of N-17 Minuteman gimbal ring machine blanks was evaluated. The concept of the process application was to forge cylinders from commercial hot-pressed beryllium stock and to segment the cylinders into rough machine blanks. The objective was to obtain cost savings through better utilization of metal as compared to machining from block stock. Metallurgical examinations of the ring blanks disclosed some random areas of low tensile properties which were traced to microcracking and related to the block forging and back-extrude techniques. The development demonstrated configurational ability; however, low forge yield and low tensile properties precluded attainment of the economic objective within the scope of this study. A review relating evaluation results to techniques was performed, and a schedule of remedial action for future forgings of this type was prepared. (Author)